Sectional watercraft

ABSTRACT

A watercraft includes a plurality of separable body sections (2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2106) configured for assembly into a single assembled structure (2100) having a first length, and for packing into a packed structure (3000) having a second length smaller than the first length. The single assembled structure may be held together using latching devices, one or more of the latching devices including a latch unit comprising a latch support, a spring mount and a band spring, the band spring having a first spring end and a second spring end, wherein the latch support includes a latch and a first shaft positioned in relationship to the latch, the first shaft configured for rotatably mounting the first spring end of the band spring, and the spring mount includes a second shaft configured for rotatably mounting the second spring end of the band spring.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/374,012filed Apr. 3, 2019, which is a divisional of application Ser. No.15/803,058 filed Nov. 3, 2017 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,293,888) as acontinuation-in-part of international application PCT/US2015/030557filed May 13, 2015, wherein said application Ser. No. 15/803,058 claimsbenefit of provisional application 62/424,432 filed Nov. 19, 2016, andwherein said application Ser. No. 15/803,058 is also acontinuation-in-part of design application 29/585,129 filed Nov. 21,2016.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a watercraft and, morespecifically, to a watercraft that has two or more separable sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A watercraft, such as a boat, kayak, canoe and dinghy, is usuallyconstructed as a single body which is heavy and long. That makes itimpractical to transport the watercraft inside an automobile. That isalso the reason why most kayaks or canoes are carried on top of anautomobile to be transported. Likewise, it is usually inconvenient foran individual to move a long kayak or canoe over a certain distance.When it comes time to store the watercraft after use, it may be moved toa commodious structure such as a garage or basement where it takes up agood deal of available storage space.

The present invention provides a watercraft that is easier to transportand store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a full-length watercraft which can betaken apart and packed into a single packed structure having a smallerlength. In general, the present invention provides various ways ofpacking body sections or components. One way is to take apart twoadjacent body sections and turn one of the sections around so that thesmaller section can be put inside the larger section. Another way is torelease a securing mechanism between two adjacent body sections so thatthe smaller section can be slid into the larger section. When thewatercraft has more than two body sections, it is also possible to slidesmaller sections into adjacent larger sections without taking apartthose body sections. Or, sections disassembled from an assembledwatercraft may be reordered with some reoriented and all packed togetherin an order different from the assembled order. It is possible to slidethe sections with motors or the like.

Thus, the scope of the present invention is to provide a watercrafthaving a plurality of separable body sections configured for assemblinginto a single assembled structure having a first length, and for packinginto a packed structure having a second length smaller than the firstlength. The plurality of separable body sections may comprise a firstbody section and a second body section, the first body sectioncomprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a cavitywith an opening, wherein the second body section is dimensioned suchthat at least part of the second body section is locatable inside thecavity of the first body section to form the packed structure.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, the first bodysection comprises a first inner end, an opposing first outer end and afirst intermediate portion between the first inner end and the firstouter end, and the second body section comprises a second inner end, anopposing second outer end and a second intermediate portion between thesecond inner end and the second outer end, and the second inner end isadjacent to the first inner end when said plurality of separable bodysections form the single assembled structure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second outer end andat least part of the second intermediate portion are locatable insidethe cavity when said plurality of separable body sections form thepacked structure.

In yet another embodiment, the second inner end and at least part of thesecond intermediate portion are locatable inside the cavity when saidplurality of separable body sections form the packed structure.

In a different embodiment, the second body section comprises a secondexterior surface and a second interior surface defining a second cavitywith a second opening, and the first body section comprises a pluralityof separable sub-sections, said plurality of separable sub-sectionscomprising a first sub-section including the first inner end and a partof the first intermediate portion, and a second sub-section includingthe first outer end and a different part of the first intermediateportion, and wherein the second sub-section is dimensioned for placementinto the second cavity of the second body section.

In another embodiment, the first body section comprises a plurality ofseparable sub-sections, said plurality of separable sub-sectionscomprising a first sub-section including the first inner end and a partof the first intermediate portion, and a second sub-section includingthe first outer end and a different part of the first intermediateportion, and the cavity comprises an inner cavity adjacent to the secondsub-section, and wherein at least part of the second sub-section isdimensioned for placement into the inner cavity.

In some embodiments, the first body section comprises a firstsub-section including the first outer end and a second sub-sectionincluding the second outer end, and the second body section comprises athird sub-section including the second inner end and a fourthsub-section including the second outer end, wherein the thirdsub-section is dimensioned such that at least part of the thirdsub-section is locatable inside the second sub-section, at least part ofthe first sub-section is locatable inside the third sub-section, and atleast part of the fourth sub-section is locatable inside the firstsub-section for forming the packed structure.

In some embodiments, the first body section comprises a firstsub-section including the first outer end and a second sub-sectionincluding the second outer end, and the second body section comprises athird sub-section including the second inner end and a fourthsub-section including the second outer end, wherein each of the first,second, third and fourth sub-sections has a smaller end and an opposinglarger end, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth sub-sectionsare dimensioned for forming the packed structure such that the smallerend of each of the first sub-section, the second sub-section and thethird sub-section is adjacent to the smaller end of the fourthsub-section.

In one embodiment, the first body section comprises a first sub-sectionincluding the first outer end, a third sub-section including the firstinner end, and a second sub-section between the first sub-section andthe third sub-section, and the second body section comprises a fourthsub-section including the second inner end and a fifth sub-sectionincluding the second outer end, wherein the third sub-section comprisesa cavity with a first opening adjacent to first inner end and anopposing second opening adjacent to the second sub-section, wherein thesecond sub-section is dimensioned for sliding into one part of the thirdsub-section through the second opening, the first sub-section isdimensioned for sliding into second sub-section, and wherein the fourthsub-section is dimensioned for sliding into another part of the thirdsub-section through the first opening, and the fifth sub-section isdimensioned for sliding into the fourth sub-section for forming thepacked structure.

In various embodiments, the watercraft also has a locking assemblyconfigured for securing the first inner end to the second inner end whensaid plurality of separable body sections form the single assembledstructure, and a sealing part located between the first inner end andthe second inner end for preventing water leakage into the interior ofthe watercraft when said plurality of separable body sections form thesingle assembled structure.

The aspects of the present invention as described above will becomeapparent upon reading the description taken in conjunction with thedrawings.

In yet another embodiment, a watercraft may include six separable bodysections configured for assembly into a single assembled structurehaving a first length, and for packing into a packed structure having asecond length smaller than the first length, the six separable bodysections comprising a first body section, a second body section, a thirdbody section, a fourth body section, a fifth body section, and a sixthbody section, each body section having an exterior surface and aninterior surface defining a cavity with an opening, wherein to form thepacked structure the sixth body section is dimensioned such that atleast part of the first body section is locatable inside the cavity ofthe sixth body section, the fifth body section is dimensioned such thatat least part of the sixth body section is locatable inside the cavityof the fifth body section, the second body section is dimensioned suchthat at least part of the fifth body section is locatable inside thecavity of the second body section, the fourth body section isdimensioned such that at least part of the second body section islocatable inside the cavity of the fourth body section, and the thirdbody section is dimensioned such that at least part of the fourth bodysection is locatable inside the cavity of the third body section.

In still another embodiment, a watercraft may include a plurality ofseparable body sections configured for assembly into a single assembledstructure having a first length, and for packing into a packed structurehaving a second length smaller than the first length, each body sectionhaving an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a cavitywith an opening, wherein to form the packed structure at least one bodysection is dimensioned such that at least part of the at least one bodysection is locatable inside the cavity of another body section, andwherein the orientation of the at least one section is reversed by onehundred and eighty degrees from an assembled orientation of the at leastone body section in the assembled structure.

The plurality of separable body sections may include an even number ofbody sections, wherein in the packed structure, with respect to theorientation of half of the body sections, the other half of the bodysections are reversed by one hundred and eighty degrees from anassembled orientation thereof in the assembled structure.

The plurality of separable body sections may include six body sectionsincluding a first body section, a second body section, a third bodysection, a fourth body section, a fifth body section, and a sixth bodysection that are assembled into the assembled structure in first,second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth body section order and that arepacked into the packed structure in third, fourth, second, fifth, sixth,and first body section order. In the packed structure, with respect tothe orientation of the third, second, and first body sections, thefourth, fifth, and sixth body sections may be reversed by one hundredand eighty degrees from an assembled orientation thereof in theassembled structure.

These additional embodiments of the present invention as described abovewill also become apparent upon reading the description taken inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a watercraft in a single, assembled structure, according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the general construction of a watercraft as shown in FIG.1.

FIG. 3 shows various portions of a section in a sectional watercraft,according to the present invention.

FIG. 4a shows how the sectional watercraft as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3is packed into a packed structure, according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4b shows how the sectional watercraft as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3is packed into another packed structure, according to a differentembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a sealing component and alocking assembly for assembling the sectional watercraft into a singleassembled structure.

FIG. 6 shows a watercraft having three separable sections.

FIG. 7 shows how the three sections are packed into a packed structure,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows how the three sections are packed into a different packedstructure, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a watercraft having four separable sections assembled in asingle assembled structure.

FIGS. 10a-10h show different ways to pack the four sections in thewatercraft of FIG. 9 into a packed structure.

FIG. 11a shows a different watercraft having four sections.

FIG. 11b shows one way for packing the four sections in the watercraftof FIG. 11a into a packed structure.

FIG. 12a shows a different watercraft having five sections.

FIG. 12b shows one way for packing the five sections in the watercraftof FIG. 12a into a packed structure.

FIG. 13a shows the sealing part on one of the adjacent body sectionswhere the cross section of the body section is a complete loop.

FIG. 13b shows the sealing part on one of the adjacent body sectionswhere the cross section of the body section is only a partial loop.

FIG. 14 shows the interface between two adjacent body sections,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15a to 15c illustrate a locking assembly for securing two adjacentbody sections, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15d to 15h illustrate a locking assembly for securing two adjacentbody sections, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows how the locking assembly of FIGS. 15a and 15b is used atthe interface of FIG. 14.

FIGS. 17a-17e illustrate how the locking assembly is engaged with andreleased from two adjacent body sections,

FIG. 18 shows a movement mechanism used to move one of the lockingblocks.

FIG. 19a shows three adjacent body sections of the watercraft.

FIGS. 19b-19d illustrate how two adjacent body sections are folded,according to a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20a illustrates how two adjacent body sections are mated andsealed.

FIGS. 20b-20g illustrate how the two adjacent body sections are lockedand separated, according to one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a kayak assembled from kayakcomponents;

FIG. 22 is a right side view of the assembled kayak of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 24 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 26 is a stern view thereof;

FIG. 27 is a bow view thereof;

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the kayak of FIG. 21 showingthe kayak components disassembled in order of assembly;

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing the kayak components ofFIG. 28 rearranged in order of packing;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the kayak components of FIG. 29assembled in a packed kayak configuration;

FIG. 31 is a right side view of the packed kayak configuration of FIG.30;

FIG. 32 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 33 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 34 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 36 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 37A is a trimetric view of a latching device, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 37B is a side view of the latching device.

FIG. 38A is a trimetric top view of the striker unit, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38B is a trimetric bottom view of the striker unit.

FIG. 39A is a trimetric view of the latch unit, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39B is a side view of the latch unit.

FIG. 39C is a top view of the latch unit.

FIG. 39D is a cross sectional view of the latch unit.

FIG. 39E is another trimetric view of the latch unit.

FIG. 39F is a bottom view of the latch unit.

FIG. 39G is a top view of the latch unit as shown in FIG. 39E.

FIG. 40A is a trimetric view of the latching device when the latchsupport is engaged with the striker unit.

FIG. 40B is a side view of the latching device as shown in FIG. 40A.

FIG. 40C is a top view of the latching device as shown in FIG. 40A.

FIG. 40D is a bottom view of the latching device as shown in FIG. 40A.

FIG. 40E shows how the spring mount of the latch unit and the strikerunit are typically mounted.

FIG. 41 is a trimetric view of the latch unit, according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42A is a trimetric view of the latching device when the latchsupport of the latch unit as shown in FIG. 41 is engaged with thestriker unit.

FIG. 42B is a side view of the latching device as shown in FIG. 42A.

FIG. 42C shows how the spring mount of the latch unit of FIG. 42A andthe striker unit are typically mounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a full-length watercraft which can betaken apart and packed into a single packed structure having a smallerlength. As such, the watercraft can be put in an automobile or on a cartto be transported. According to various embodiments of the presentinvention, the watercraft has two or more separable body sections whichcan be secured into a single assembled structure and can be packed intoa packed structure having a smaller length. In general, the presentinvention provides various ways in packing body sections. One way is totake apart two adjacent body sections and turn one of the sectionsaround so that the smaller section can be put inside the larger section.Another way is to release a securing mechanism between the adjacent bodysections so that the smaller section can be slid into the largersection.

In the various embodiments of the present invention, the watercraft canbe a boat, a kayak, a canoe or the like. In case of a kayak, it can be asit-on-top kayak or a conventional kayak that has one or two cockpits toallow one or more persons to sit in the cockpits.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, a watercraft has twoseparable body sections as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, thewatercraft 10 has a first body section 20 and a second body section 30to be assembled into a single assembled structure having a full length.As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first body section 20 has anexterior surface 220 and an interior surface 222 defining a cavity 224with an opening 225. The second body section 30 has an exterior surface320 and an interior surface 322 defining a cavity 324 with an opening325. The second body section 30 is dimensioned such that at least partof the second body section 30 is locatable inside the cavity 224 of thefirst body section to form a packed structure, such as shown in FIG. 4aor 4 b.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first body 20 has a first inner end 22, anopposing first outer end 26 and a first intermediate portion 24 betweenthe first inner end and the first outer end. The second body section 30has a second inner end 32, an opposing second outer end 36 and a secondintermediate portion 34 between the second inner end and the secondouter end. The second inner end 32 of the second body section 30 isadjacent to the first inner end 22 of the first body section when thesebody sections form the single assembled structure.

As mentioned earlier, there are various ways to pack the separable bodysections into a packed structure, depending on the number of bodysections and how adjacent body sections are joined. In the embodiment asshown in FIG. 4a , after a securing mechanism (not shown) between thefirst body section 20 and the second body section 30 is released, thesmaller section 30 is slid into the larger section 20 through theopening 225. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4b , the two adjacentbody sections 20 and 30 are taken apart and one of the sections areturned around, i.e., reoriented by a hundred and eighty degrees, so thatthe smaller section 30 can be put, at least partly, inside the largersection 20 through the opening 225. As can be seen from FIGS. 4a and 4b, the length of the packed structure 10′ is smaller than the length of asingle assembled watercraft 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

In order to secure two adjacent body sections together, a certainlocking assembly has to be provided. In order to prevent water fromleaking into the interior of the watercraft, a certain sealing part hasto be provided. As shown in FIG. 5, a locking assembly 50 is providedfor securing the first inner end 22 to the second inner end 32 and asealing part 60 located between the first inner end 22 and the secondinner end 32 is used for preventing water leakage into interior of thewatercraft when the separable body sections 20, 30 form the singleassembled watercraft 10. An exemplary locking assembly and sealing partis illustrated in FIGS. 13a and 13 b.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft has threeseparable body sections which can be packed into a packed size. As shownin FIG. 6, the first body section 20 has a first sub-section 120 and asecond sub-section 122. The first sub-section 120 includes the firstinner end 22 and a part of the first intermediate portion 24. The secondsub-section 122 includes the first outer end 26 and a different part ofthe first intermediate portion 24. In this embodiment, the secondsub-section 122 is smaller toward the first outer end 26 than the secondbody section 30 such that the second sub-section 122 can be placed, atleast partly, into the second cavity 324 of the second body section 30through the opening 325 as shown in FIG. 7 with a smaller size than inFIG. 6, with the opening of the second subsection forward of the cavity224.

In a different embodiment, the first body section 20 is sectioned intotwo sub-sections differently. As shown in FIG. 8, the first sub-section120 has now two openings 225 and 227 defined by the inner cavity 226.Before the first sub-section 120 and the second sub-section 122 areseparated, the inner cavity 226 is adjacent to the second sub-section122. In this embodiment, at least part of the second sub-section 122 isdimensioned to be placed into the inner cavity 226 through the opening227.

In another embodiment, the watercraft 10 comprises four separable bodysections 410, 420, 430 and 440 as shown in FIG. 9. After the lockingassembly (not shown) between two adjacent body sections is released, thefour body sections can be packed into a packed structure 10′ in manydifferent ways. As shown in FIG. 10a , the first body section 410 isslid into one end of the second body section 420. Furthermore, the thirdbody section 430 is slid into the other end of the second body section420 and the fourth body section 440 is slid into the third body section430. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10b , after the fourth bodysection 440 is separated from the third body section 430, the fourthbody section 440 is turned around, i.e., rotated by one hundred andeighty degrees, before it is placed inside the third body section 430.In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10c , after the first body section410 is separated from the second body section 420, the first bodysection 410 is turned around before it is placed inside the second bodysection 420. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10d , after the firstbody section 410 is separated from the second body section 420, thefirst body section 410 is turned around before it is placed inside thesecond body section 420. After the fourth body section 440 is separatedfrom the third body section 430, the fourth body section 440 is placedinside the third body section 430 which has been turned around. In theembodiment as shown in FIG. 10e , after the locking assembly between twoadjacent body sections is released, only the third body section 430 isturned around for packing. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10f ,after the locking assembly between two adjacent body sections inreleased, both the third body section 430 and the fourth body section440 are turned around for packing. In the embodiment as shown in FIG.10g , after the locking assembly between two adjacent body sections inreleased, the first body section 410 and the fourth body section 440 areturned around for packing. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 10h , thefirst body section 410, the third body section 430 and the fourth 440are turned around for packing.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft 10comprises four separable body sections 510, 520, 530 and 540 as shown inFIG. 11a . After the locking assembly (not shown) between two adjacentbody sections is released, all body sections are taken apart. As shownin FIG. 11b , the third body section 530 is turned around before it isplaced at least partly into the second body section 520. In thisembodiment, the first body section 510 is placed inside the third bodysection 530 and the fourth body section 540 is turned around and placedinside the first body section 510 to become a packed structure 10′.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, the watercraft 10comprises five separable body sections 610, 620, 630, 640 and 650 asshown in FIG. 12a . After the locking assembly (not shown) between twoadjacent body sections is released, the smaller one of the two adjacentbody sections is slid into the larger one. As shown in FIG. 12b , thesecond body section 620 is slid into one end of the third body section630 and the fourth body section 640 is slid into the other end of thethird body section 630. Furthermore, the first body section 610 is slidinto the second body section 620, and the fifth body section 650 is slidinto the fourth body section 640 to form a packed structure 10′. In thisembodiment, none of the body sections are turned around relative to theother sections. Furthermore, it would not be necessary to move twoadjacent body sections apart from each other, as can be seen in FIG. 14.

In various embodiments of the present invention, the adjacent bodysections of a watercraft are separable for packing. Taking theembodiment as shown in FIG. 2 as an example, at least one of the bodysections 20, 30 has a sealing part. As shown in FIG. 13a , the firstbody section 20 has a sealing part 60 in the full circumference betweenthe exterior surface 220 and the interior surface 222. Furthermore, atongue 80 is provided so that it can be joined by a matching part, suchas groove, on the second body section 30 (not shown). Furthermore, somegaps 82, 84 are made in the tongue 80 so that the gaps can be joinedwith corresponding mating parts on the adjacent body section to achievea positive alignment when the two adjacent body sections are assembledto form the single, assembled structure.

FIG. 13b shows the sealing part 60 and the tongue and groove features80, 82, 84 when the joining area of the body section does not have afull circumference, as in the case of a canoe, or when the sectioning isdone at a cockpit of a kayak, for example.

FIG. 14 shows the interface between two adjacent body sections,according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.14, part of the first body section 20 has a hook-like locking block 52to be engaged with another hook-like locking block 54 on the second bodysection 30. Such a design allows the second body section 30 to be slidinto the first body section 20 as indicated by the arrow 130. As such,it would not be necessary to move the two adjacent body sections apartwhen they are packed to form a packed structure. In order to preventwater from leaking into the watercraft through the interface, a sealingpart 60 is provided between the two locking blocks 52, 54.

FIGS. 15a to 15c illustrate a locking assembly for securing two adjacentbody sections, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIGS. 15a to 15c , the first body section 20 has a firstlocking block 52 and the second body section 30 has a second lockingblock 54. As shown, a channel 170 is provided in the locking blocks 52and 54. The two locking blocks 52 and 54 can be secured by a cam lockingassembly 70. The cam locking assembly 70 comprises a rod 74 with anarrowhead-like locking blade 72 on one end and a cam locking handle 78with a locking pin or shaft 79 on the other end. The cam lockingassembly 70 is operable in three positions. In the first position asshown in FIG. 15a , the locking blade 72 is prevented from movingthrough the channel 170. In this position, a thumbscrew or locknut 76 isengaged with a threaded part 77 of the rod 74 and the locking shaft 79for securing the first body section 20 to the second body section 30.The cam locking handle 78 provides an urging force against the block 55.In the second position as shown in FIG. 15b , with the cam lockinghandle 78 rotated in a clockwise direction to release the urging forceagainst the block 55, the locknut 76 can be moved away from the lockingshaft 79. Now the cam locking handle can be flipped over as shown inFIG. 15c . As such, the locking blade 72 is allowed to be retrievedthrough the channel 170 so that the first body section 20 and the secondbody section 30 can be separated from each other as indicated by thearrow 134. Furthermore, the entire locking assembly 70, including thelocking blade 72, the rod 74, the thumbscrew 76, the locking shaft 79and the cam locking handle 78, can be separated from the first bodysection 220, as indicated by the arrow 134. For sealing the gap betweentwo adjacent body sections, a sealing part 60 having two sealingsurfaces 62 and 63 is used, for example.

FIGS. 15d to 15h illustrate a locking assembly for securing two adjacentbody sections, according to another embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIGS. 15d to 15h , a fixedly attached block 81 and aslideable block 83 are used to replace the locking shaft 79 as shown inFIGS. 15a to 15c . When the cam locking assembly 70 is in the lockingposition, the locknut 76 is engaged with the threaded part 77 of the rod74 to push the slideable block 83 against the block 55. The cam lockinghandle 78 provides an urging force against the block 55, as shown inFIGS. 15e and 15f . In the second position as shown in FIGS. 15g and 15h, with the cam locking handle 78 rotated in a clockwise direction torelease the urging force against the block 55, the locknut 76 and theslideable block 83 can be moved away from the block 55. As with theembodiment as shown in FIGS. 15a to 15c , the cam locking handle can beflipped over to allow the locking blade 72 to be retrieved through thechannel 170 so that the first body section 20 and the second bodysection 30 can be separated from each other as indicated by the arrow134 (see FIG. 15c ). It should be noted that the fixedly attached block81 can be cylindrical (with a round cross section) or polygonal (with apolygonal cross section). Likewise, the inner part of the slideableblock 83 can be dimensioned accordingly.

The cam locking assembly 70 can also be used to secure two adjacent bodysections as shown in FIG. 14. Now referring to FIGS. 16, and 17 a-17 e,the locking blade 72 is engaged with the locking block 52 and the rod 74is engaged in the locking block 54. In addition, the first body section20 also has a locking block 56 to be engaged with the thumbscrew 76 forsecuring the first and second body sections together. As shown in FIGS.17a-17e , the locking block 52 on the first body section 20 has a firstchamber 152 dimensioned to accommodate the locking blade 72, and thelocking block 54 on the second body section 30 has a first chamber 154dimensioned to accommodate the locking blade 72.

As with the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 15a and 15b , the cam lockingassembly 70 is operable in the first position and in the secondposition. As shown in FIG. 17a , the cam locking assembly is operated inthe first position in that the locking blade 72 is prevented from movingout of the first chamber 152 through the channel 170. In this position,a thumbscrew or locknut 76 can be adjusted against the locking block 56for securing the second body section 30 to the first body section 20(see FIG. 16). As shown in FIG. 17b , the cam locking assembly in thesecond position in that the locking blade 72 is turned side-wide so thatthe locking blade 72 is allowed to move out of the first chamber 152through the channel 170. FIG. 17c shows that the locking blade 72 hasmoved into the second chamber 154. If the cam locking assembly ischanged from the second position to the first position as shown in FIG.17d , the locking blade 72 is prevented from moving out of the secondchamber 154. As such, it is possible to pull the locking block 54 awayfrom the locking block 52 so that the second body section 30 is movedtoward the first body section 20 for packing as indicated by the arrow130 (see also FIG. 16).

It should be noted that the separation of the various body sections andthe assembling of the body sections into an assembled structure or apacked structure can be carried out by one or more movement means, suchas motors. For example, after the locking blocks 52, 54 have beenreleased from the cam locking assembly 70 (see FIG. 16), a motor 190 canbe used to move the locking block 54 away from the locking block 52 sothat the second body section 30 is moved toward the first body section20 for packing as indicated by the arrow 130, as shown in FIG. 18.

FIG. 19a shows three adjacent body sections of a sectional watercraft,similar to those shown in FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 19a , the threeadjacent body sections are sections 28, 29 and 30. Part of the bodysection 28 has a locking block 51 to be engaged with a locking block 53of the body section 29. Part of the body section 29 has a locking block52 to be engaged with a locking block 54 of the body section 30. Assuch, the body section 30 can be slid into the body section 29, whichcan also be slid into the body section 28 to form a packed structure,for example. In one embodiment of the present invention, two adjacentbody sections are linked with foldable arms for packing purposes. Asshown in FIG. 19b , the body sections 29, 30 are linked by a pair offoldable arms 143, 144 and the body sections 28, 20 are linked by a pairof foldable arms 141, 142. When the foldable arms 143, 144 are movedalong the direction 163, the body section 30 can be moved toward thebody section 29 along the direction 130. Likewise, when the foldablearms 141, 142 are moved along the direction 161, the body section 29,together with body section 30, can be moved toward the body section 28along the direction 131. FIGS. 19c and 19d show how the body section 30is further moved into the body section 29. It should be noted that thefolding of the arm pair 141, 142 and the arm pair 143, 144 can becarried out by a motor or other movement means.

In a different embodiment of the present invention, two adjacent bodysections are clamped by a locking clamp when the watercraft is in anassembled structure. The locking clamp can be released so as to separatethe two adjacent body sections one from another, when needed. Toillustrate this different embodiment, the two adjacent body sections 20and 30 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are used to demonstrate how the lockingclamp can be applied on these two body sections. As shown in FIG. 20a ,the first body section 20 has a mating block 37 to face with a matingblock 35 of the second body section 30. Mating block 35 is substantiallyflush with the exterior surface 322 of the second body section 30 butextended further into the interior of the second body section 30 asindicated by the interior surface 320. Likewise, mating block 37 issubstantially flush with the exterior surface 222 of the first bodysection 20 but extended further into the interior of the first bodysection 20 as indicated by the interior surface 220. The interior sidesof mating blocks 35 and 37 provide a surface 39 to support a lockingclamp 180 as shown in FIGS. 20b and 20c . Mating block 35 has a firstend 351 and an opposing second end 352. Mating block 37 has a first end371 and an opposing end 372. The second end 352 of mating block 35 has atongue configured to be engaged with a groove on the second end 372 ofmating block 37. A sealing part 60, which can be a neoprene O-ring, forexample, is secured between the tongue and the groove. As shown in FIGS.20b and 20c , a latch bracket 191 is secured to the first end 351 ofmating block 35 and a clamp mount 193 is secured to the first end 371 ofmating block 37. As shown in FIG. 20c , locking clamp 180 has two clampparts 182, 184 rotatably connected to each other by a pin 186. As shownin FIGS. 20c to 20g , clamp part 184 is rotatably mounted on clamp mount193 by a pivot 188. Clamp part 182 has two opposing ends, one end isconnected to clamp part 184 and the other end has a locking cup 183configured to be engaged with latch bracket 191 via a tension adjustmentscrew 189. Clamp part 184 has a folded section 185 adjacent to clampmount 193. When locking clamp 180 is used to keep mating blocks 35 and37 in a locked position, clamp part 182 is lowered so that locking cup183 is fully engaged with latch bracket 191. As clamp part 184 is pushedtoward the interior surface 222 of the first body section 20, foldingsection 185 presses against mating block 37 while clamp part 182 restson surface 39 as shown in FIG. 20c . With tension adjustment screw 189being properly adjusted, clamp part 184 applies an urging force onmating block 37 against mating block 35 so as to keep the first bodysection 20 and the second body section 30 in a locked position.

To separate the first body section 20 from the second body section 30,clamp part 184 is rotated away from the interior surface 220 so as todisengage locking cup 183 of clamp part 182 from latch bracket 191, asshown in FIG. 20d . Clamp part 182 can then be rotated further away fromsurface 39 toward clamp part 184 as shown in FIG. 20e . As both clampparts 182 and 184 are lowered towards the interior surface 222 as shownin FIG. 20f , clamp part 182 can be used to pull mating part 37 awayfrom mating part 35, as shown in FIG. 20 g.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an exemplary watercraft having morethan the five separable body sections of FIG. 12a . In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 21, a kayak 2100 is shown as having been assembledfrom six separable body sections or components 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104,2105, 2106, numbered respectively from right to left. The illustratedembodiment shows a kayak with a single cockpit 2110 but could takeanother form such as a kayak with two cockpits or a larger cockpit tofit more than one person, a catamaran section configured as a kayak, oreven a canoe with an elongated opening along the entire length withgunwales along top side bulwarks defining the opening.

FIG. 22 is a right side view of the assembled kayak of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a left side view thereof.

FIG. 24 is a top view thereof.

FIG. 25 is a bottom view thereof.

FIG. 26 is a stern view thereof.

FIG. 27 is a bow view thereof.

FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of the kayak of FIG. 21 showingthe kayak body sections or components disassembled in order of assembly.The six body sections each have an exterior surface and at least oneopening defining a cavity having an inner surface within the given bodysection. For instance, FIG. 28 shows exterior surfaces 2801, 2802, 2803,2804, 2805, and 2806 associated with the first, second, third, fourth,fifth, and sixth body sections 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, and 2106,respectively.

FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing the kayak components ofFIG. 28 rearranged in order of packing. The body sections are arrangedwith the third, fourth, second, fifth, sixth, and first body sections2103, 2104, 2102, 2105, 2106, 2101 in respective right to left packingorder with respective insertion ends 2944, 2942, 2945, 2946, 2941pointing to the right and aimed for insertion through openings 2903,2904, 2902, 2905, 2906 into cavities 2913, 2914, 2912, 2915, 2916 of therespective body sections 2103, 2104, 2102, 2105, 2106. The fourth,fifth, and sixth body sections 2104, 2105, 2106 are turned around, i.e.,rotated one hundred and eighty degrees from the orientation shown inFIG. 28. The other three sections 2103, 2102, 2101 keep the sameorientation. The right to left rearrangement of the six body sections2103, 2104, 2105, 2102, 2106, 2101 of FIG. 29 each have the at least onerespective opening 2903, 2904, 2902, 2905, 2906 defining a respectivecavity 2913, 2914, 2912, 2915, 2916, 2911 having a respective innersurface 2933, 2934, 2932, 2935, 2936, 2931 within the given bodysection. Each cavity as shown from right to left is receptive through arespective opening 2903, 2904, 2902, 2905, 2906 to insertion of a bodysection to its left so that the inner surfaces of cavities 2913, 2914,2912, 2915, 2916 of the respective body sections 2103, 2104, 2102, 2105,2106 face respective exterior surfaces 2804, 2802, 2805, 2806 ofrespective body sections 2104, 2102, 2105, 2106, 2101. When packed asshown in the order shown in FIG. 29, a packed kayak configurationresults, as is shown in FIGS. 30-36. Of course, the body sections may benested with each other as shown in any order as long as the overallorder of FIG. 29 is used. For instance, section 2102 may first beinserted in section 2104. Section 2101 might then be inserted in section2106. Section 2105 might then be inserted in the cavity 2912 of section2102 which is already packed in the cavity 2914 of section 2104. Thepacked sections 2101, 2106 may then be inserted into the cavity 2915 ofsection 2105 which is already packed into sections 2102, 2104. Thepacked sections 2101, 2106, 2105, 2102, 2104 may then be inserted intothe cavity 2913 of section 2103 to form the packed configuration 3000shown in FIGS. 30-36. Regardless of the sequence in which they arepacked, the end result is that they are packed into the packed structurein third, fourth, second, fifth, sixth, and first body section order or,equivalently looked at from the opposite direction, the reverse order.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the kayak body sections or componentsof FIG. 29 assembled in the packed kayak configuration 3000;

FIG. 31 is a right side view of the packed kayak configuration of FIG.30;

FIG. 32 is a left side view thereof;

FIG. 33 is a top view thereof;

FIG. 34 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 35 is a rear view thereof; and FIG. 36 is a front view thereof.

Thus, according to various embodiments of the present invention, thewatercraft has two or more body sections. In some of the embodiments,two adjacent body sections are taken apart before the smaller one of theadjacent sections can be placed into the larger one. In some of theembodiments, two adjacent body sections can be packed into a smallersize without being taken apart. Likewise, when the watercraft has threeor more body sections, it is also possible to slide the sections on thetwo ends inward to form a packed size without being taken apart. Butthere are many more ways to pack the body sections, depending upon howthe body sections are dimensioned.

Referring back to FIG. 14, the sections may be held together by at leastone latching device. A latching device, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention, has a latch unit and a striker unit to beseparately mounted on or embedded in the two sections to be joinedtogether so as to be drawn toward each other for engagement by the user.

FIG. 37A is a trimetric view of such a latching device 3010, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 37B is a side view ofthe latching device 3010. As seen in FIGS. 37A and 37B, the latchingdevice 3010 has a striker unit 3020 and a latch unit 3040, separablefrom each other. The striker unit 3020 has a striker 3022. The latchunit 3040 has a latch support 3050, a spring mount 3080 and a bandspring 3042. The band spring 3042 has a first spring end 3043 and asecond spring end 3044. The latch support 3050 has a first shaft 3054and a latch 3052 dimensioned to engage with the striker 3022. The firstshaft 3054 is configured for rotatably mounting the first spring end3043 of the band spring 3042. The spring mount 3080 has a second shaft3082 configured for rotatably mounting the second spring end 3044 of theband spring 3042.

FIG. 38A is a trimetric top view of the striker unit, according to anembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 38B is a trimetric bottomview of the striker unit. As seen in FIGS. 38A and 38B, the striker unit3020 has a channel plate 3030 formed from two spaced-apart channel walls3034 and a connecting plate 3036. The channel plate 3030 has a firstchannel end 3031 and a second channel end 3032. The channel plate 3030is dimensioned to receive the latch support 3050 (see FIG. 37A) betweenthe channel walls 3034. The striker 3022 is mounted on the channel walls3034 near the first channel end 3031. The striker unit 3020 has a catch3038 formed on the connecting plate 3036 near the second channel end3032. The striker unit 3020 also has two mounting pads 3024, each ofwhich has a mounting hole 3039 for mounting the striker unit 3020 to asurface.

FIGS. 39A to 39G are different views of the latch unit, according toembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39A is a trimetric view of the latch unit 3040, according to anembodiment of the present invention; FIG. 39B is a side view of thelatch unit, FIG. 39C is a top view of the latch unit and FIG. 39D is across sectional view of the latch unit 3040. FIG. 39E is a differenttrimetric view of the latch unit. FIGS. 39F and 39G are bottom and topviews of the latch unit 3040.

As seen in FIGS. 39A to 39G, the spring mount 3080 has two spaced-apartmounting walls 3086 for mounting the second shaft 3082. The latchsupport 3050 has a first support end 3055 and a second support end 3056.The latch support 3050 has two spaced-apart supporting walls 3060configured for mounting the first shaft 3054 between the first supportend 3055 and the second support end 3056. Each of the supporting walls3060 has a recess 3064 made thereon for forming the latch 3052 at thefirst support end 3055 of the latch support 3050. The recess 3064 oneach of the supporting walls 3060 is dimensioned to engage with thestriker 3022 (see FIG. 37A).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the latch support3050 has a pin 3066 mounted on the supporting walls 3060 near the secondsupport end 3056. The pin 3056 is arranged for rotatably mounting apivoting member 3070. One end of the pivoting member 3070 has a hook3072 and the other end of the pivoting member 3070 has a lift 3074. Inan embodiment of the present invention, a pin spring 3068 (see FIG. 39F)is mounted on the pin 3066 to urge the hook 3072 to move toward thefirst support end 3055. When the latch 3052 is caused to engage with thestriker 3022 so as to establish an engagement between the latch support3050 and the striker unit 3020 (see FIG. 40A), the hook 3072 of thepivoting member 3070 is arranged to engage with the catch 3038 (see FIG.38B) on the connecting plate 3036 of the channel plate 3030. The pinspring 3068 is arranged to provide an urging force on the hook 3072 forsecuring the engagement between the latch support 3050 and the strikerunit 3020. To release the latch support 3050 from the striker unit 3020,the lift 3074 can be used to rotate the pivoting member 3070 against theurging force of the pin spring 3068 so as to disengage the hook 3072from the catch 3038. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the latch support 3050 has a lever 3076 fixedly attached tothe supporting walls 3060 at the second support end 3056. The lever 3076is arranged to assist the disengagement of the latch support 3050 fromthe striker unit 3020 while the lift 3074 is used to rotate the pivotingmember 3070 against the urging force of the pin spring 3068.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spring mount3080 has two mounting pads 3088 separately connected to the mountingwalls 3086. Each of the mounting pads 3088 has a mounting hole 3099. Themounting pads 3088 are spaced from each other to provide a gap 3089therebetween to allow the band spring 3042 to rotate about the secondshaft 3082 within the gap 3089.

FIG. 39D is a cross sectional view of the latch unit 3040, showing howthe first spring end 3043 of the band spring 3042 is mounted on thefirst shaft 3054 of the latch support 3050 and how the second spring end3044 is mounted on the second shaft 3082 of the spring mount 3080. Asseen in FIG. 39D, the pivoting member 3070 is pivotally mounted on thepin 3066 with the lift 3074 and hook 3072 located on different ends ofthe pivoting member 3070.

FIG. 39E is a different trimetric view of the latch unit 3040 and FIGS.39F and 39G are bottom and top views of the latch unit as shown in FIG.39E.

As seen in FIGS. 39E to 39G, the latch support 3050 has a pin spring3068 mounted on the pin 3066 in relationship to the hook 3072 of thepivoting member 3070. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the latch support 3050 also has a connecting bridge 3078connected between the supporting walls 3060 at the first support end3055 to define an opening 3079 between the connecting bridge 3078 andthe pivoting member 3070. The opening 3079 allows the band spring 3042to move within the opening 3079 while the band spring 3042 is rotatedabout the first shaft 3054.

FIGS. 40A to 40D are different views of the latching device 3010 whenthe latch support 3050 of the latch unit 3040 is engaged with thestriker unit 3020 as if the striker unit 3020 and the spring mount 3080are separately attached to two adjacent objects (see FIG. 40E).Preferably, the mounting pads 3088 of the spring mount 3080 and themounting pads 3024 of the striker unit 3020 are coplanar as indicated bythe dotted line D as shown in FIG. 40B. FIGS. 40C and 40D are top andbottom views of the engaged latching device 3010. As seen in FIGS. 40Cand 40D, the spring mount 3080 also has a shaft spring 3084 mounted onthe second shaft 3082. When the latch support 3050 is disengaged fromthe striker unit 3020, the shaft spring 3084 is arranged to urge theband spring 3042 to rotate about the second shaft 3082 away from thestriker unit 3020.

FIG. 40E shows how the spring mount 3080 of the latch unit 3040 and thestriker unit 3020 are typically mounted. As seen in FIG. 40E, the springmount 3080 is embedded in object I with the mounting pads 3088 mountedon surface A of object I and the striker unit 3020 is embedded in objectII with the mounting pads 3024 mounted on surface B of object II. It isunderstood that as the striker unit 3020 is mounted on surface B, thestriker unit 3020 allows the insertion of the latch support 3050 betweenthe channel walls 3034 as shown in FIG. 37A. While the latch 3052 isengaged with the striker 3022, the latch support 3050 is rotated aboutthe striker 3022 until the hook 3072 of the latch support 3050 isengaged with the catch 3038 of the striker unit 3020 (see FIG. 38B).

FIG. 41 is a trimetric view of the latch unit 3040′, according toanother embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 41, thelatch unit 3040′ has a different spring mount 3080′. The spring mount3080′ has a connecting pad 3090′ fixedly attached two spaced-apartmounting walls 3086′ that have a second shaft 3082′ for rotatablymounting the second spring end 3044 of the band spring 3042. Theconnecting pad 3090′ has one or more mounting holes (not shown) formounting the spring mount 3080′ on a surface.

FIG. 42A is a trimetric view of the latching device 3010′ when the latchsupport 3050 of the latch unit 3040′ is engaged with the striker unit3020. FIG. 42B is a side view of the latching device 3010′. Preferably,the connecting pad 3090′ of the spring mount 3080′ and the mounting pads3024 of the striker unit 3020 are coplanar as indicated by the dottedline D′.

FIG. 42C shows how the spring mount 3080′ of the latch unit 3040′ andthe striker unit 3020 are typically mounted. As seen in FIG. 42C, thespring mount 3080′ is mounted on the surface A′ of object I′ and thestriker unit 3020 is embedded in object II with the mounting pads 3024mounted on surface B of object II.

Referring back to the right and left side views of FIGS. 22 and 23,intermediate portions of the six sections are labelled on the bottom ofeach side view with reference numerals one through six, with the evenintermediate sections 2, 4, and 6 labeled as such in the right side viewof FIG. 22 and the odd intermediate sections 1, 3, and 5 labeled as suchin the left side view of FIG. 23. This is similar to the description ofthe body sections of FIG. 3. Thus, in a way also similar to thedescription used for FIG. 3, each of the six body sections has twoopposing end sections marked with reference numerals.

In FIG. 23, the first body section 2101 is shown having an outer endsection 2301 ₁ and an inner end section 2301 ₂. A first inner end 2202 ₁of the second section 2102, as shown in FIG. 22, mates with the innerend section 2301 ₂ of the first body section 2101. For instance, threelatch units 3040 of the type shown in FIG. 40E may be used to join thetwo body sections 2101, 2102 together, with three striker units 3020embedded in the first inner end 2202 ₁ of body section 2102 and threespring mounts 3080 embedded in the inner end section 2301 ₂ of the firstbody section 2101. The three latch units may be located symmetricallyaround the periphery of the joint or may be placed in positions dictatedby available structural features and other design choices such asaccessibility for the user.

Likewise, a second inner end 2202 ₂ of the second section 2102, as shownin FIG. 22, mates with a first end section 2303 ₁ of the third bodysection 2103 using several latch units. For instance, four latch units3040′ of the type shown in FIG. 40C may be used to join the two sections2102, 2103 together, with four striker units 3020 embedded in the secondinner end 2202 ₂ of body section 2102 and four corresponding springmounts 3080′ surface mounted in the first inner end section 2303 ₁ ofthe third body section 2103.

Likewise, a second inner end 2303 ₂ of the third body section 2103, asshown in FIG. 23, mates with a first end section 2204 ₁ of the fourthbody section 2104 using several latch units. For instance, five latchunits 3040 of the type shown in FIG. 40E may be used to join the twosections 2103, 2104 together, with five striker units 3020 embedded inthe first inner end 2204 ₁ of body section 2104 and five correspondingspring mounts 3080 embedded in the second inner end section 2303 ₂ ofthe third body section 2103.

Likewise, a second inner end 2204 ₂ of the second section 2104, as shownin FIG. 22, mates with a first end section 2305 ₁ of the fifth bodysection 2105 using several latch units. For instance, four latch units3040′ of the type shown in FIG. 40C may be used to join the two sections2104, 2105 together, with four striker units 3020 embedded in the firstinner end 2305 ₁ of body section 2105 and four corresponding springmounts 3080′ surface mounted in the second inner end section 2204 ₂ ofthe fourth body section 2104.

Finally, a second inner end 2305 ₂ of the fifth body section 2105, asshown in FIG. 23, mates with a first end section 2206 ₁ of the sixthbody section 2106 using several latch units. For instance, three latchunits 3040 of the type shown in FIG. 40E may be used to join the twosections 2105, 2106 together, with three striker units 3020 embedded inthe second inner end 2305 ₂ of body section 2105 and three correspondingspring mounts 3080 embedded in the first inner end section 2206 ₁ of thesixth body section 2106.

Thus, although the present invention has been described with respect toone or more embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions anddeviations in the form and detail thereof may be made without departingfrom the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A latching device comprising: a latch unitcomprising a latch support, a spring mount and a band spring, the bandspring having a first spring end and a second spring end, wherein thelatch support comprises a latch and a first shaft positioned inrelationship to the latch, the first shaft configured for rotatablymounting the first spring end of the band spring, and the spring mountcomprises a second shaft configured for rotatably mounting the secondspring end of the band spring.
 2. The latching device according to claim1, wherein the latch support further comprises a first support end, asecond support end, and two spaced-apart supporting walls configured formounting the first shaft between the first support end and the secondsupport end, and wherein each of the supporting walls comprises a recessmade thereon for forming the latch at the first support end.
 3. Thelatching device according to claim 2, further comprising: a striker unitseparable from the latch unit, the striker unit comprising a striker,wherein the latch in the latch support is dimensioned to receive thestriker, and wherein the striker unit further comprises a channel platehaving a first channel end and a second channel end, the channel platecomprising two spaced-apart channel walls and a connecting plateconnecting the channel walls, the channel walls configured for mountingthe striker near the first channel end, the channel plate dimensioned toreceive the latch of the latch support between the channel walls.
 4. Thelatching device according to claim 3, wherein the connecting platecomprises a catch formed thereon near the second channel end, andwherein the latch support further comprises: a pin mounted between thesupporting walls near the second support end; a pin spring, and apivoting member rotatably mounted on the pin, the pivoting membercomprising a hook on one end and a lift on another end of the pivotingmember, wherein when the latch is caused to engage with the striker soas to establish an engagement between the latch support and the strikerunit, the hook on the pivoting member is arranged to engage with thecatch on the connecting plate of the channel member, and the pin springis configured to provide an urging force on the hook for securing theengagement between the latch support and the striker unit.
 5. Thelatching device according to claim 4, wherein when the pivoting memberis caused to rotate against the urging force of the pin spring so as todisengage the hook from the catch, the latch support can be disengagedfrom the striker unit.
 6. The latching device according to claim 5,wherein the latch support further comprises a lever located at thesecond support end, the lever is arranged to assist disengagement of thelatch support from the striker unit while the lift is caused to rotatethe pivoting member against the urging force of the pin spring.
 7. Thelatching device according to claim 6, wherein the latch support furthercomprises a connecting bridge between the supporting walls at the firstsupport end, providing an opening between the connecting bridge and thepivoting member to allow the band spring to move within the opening. 8.The latching device according to claim 6, wherein the spring mountfurther comprises one or more mounting holes arranged for mounting thespring mount on a first surface, and the striker unit further comprisesone or more mounting holes arranged for mounting the striker unit on asecond surface.
 9. The latching device according to claim 8, the springmount further comprises a shaft spring configured to urge the bandspring to rotate away from the striker unit when the latch support isdisengaged from the striker unit.
 10. The latching device according toclaim 9, wherein the spring mount further comprises two spaced-apartmounting walls and two mounting pads, the mounting walls arranged formounting the second shaft, each of the mounting pads connected to one ofthe mounting walls, the mounting pads having the mounting holes formounting the spring mount on the first surface, wherein the mountingpads are spaced from each other to provide a gap to allow the bandspring to rotate about the second shaft within the gap.
 11. The latchingdevice according to claim 9, wherein the spring mount further comprisestwo spaced-apart mount walls arranged for mounting the second shaft, anda connecting pad connecting the mounting walls, the connecting padhaving the mounting holes for mounting the spring mount on the firstsurface.
 12. The latching device according to claim 4, wherein when thelatch is engaged with the striker, the latch unit can be rotated aboutthe striker toward the channel plate on the second channel end until thehook on the pivoting member is engaged with the catch on the connectingplate of the channel member.